Dont label every activist Naxal sympathiser: SC to Chhattisgarh

The Benchs remark came in response to a comment by senior advocate Ranjit Kumar,representing the state government,that activist Himanshu Kumar,who had moved the Supreme Court for the protection of 12 tribals,was a Naxal sympathiser. The 12 tribals were allegedly eye-witnesses to the massacre of nine of their villagers by a group of people at Goompad village in Dhantewada district in the state. They had recently given statements to the Delhi District Judge confirming the killings.

The Bench reminded the state government that the activist was in fact fighting for the tribal victims,who are forced to live in dangerous conditions in Naxal-ridden regions.

Appearing for the Centre,Attorney General G E Vahanvati said the government had evolved a Rs 7,300-crore package to develop countrys Naxal-affected regions.